Does it matter if we vote?

G

George Hill

Staff Alumnus
This is about the Electorial College.
If your in a state that is basically Gore Locked - does it really matter if you bother to vote?
I think the EC system needs to take a dive.
I'm in Utah... EC wise - its locked on to Bush. Does it matter if I go out and vote for Bush? He has already won this state.

Guys, I'm not questioning the honor of casting the vote... I'm just a little frightened of a Gore win.
Here is why.
I remember very clearly my wife and I going to the poles together one day. This was at the end of Clinton's first term and we were all set to not let him have a second term.
EVERYONE we knew were all determined to vote against Clinton.
As we walked up to the polls there in Ashland Virginia, we passed a Clinton supporter passing out pamphlets and such... He was tall, blond, and smug as hell. He gave me the creeps. I felt through my wife's arm, a shiver. She was creeped out too. This guy was like the Undertaker from Phantasm. He worn a dark suit and had a smile like Mr Burns from the Simpsons. He spoke in a very cheerful tone about how glorious a second term for Bill Clinton will be.
I resonded and said I'm voting against Bill. This creepy fellow just smiled and with a light chuckle said "It doesnt matter what you think or how you vote... Clinton will win again."
I was livid.
I voted.
I watched at the edge of my seat the polling results.
You know the rest...

I'm just afraid the same thing will happen again.
Al Gore is not only just as evil as Bill... But perhaps even more so as he seems less threatening.

I remember my Dad talking about a leader of another country. He said he didn't like him.
I asked why. He said "He can Smile."
This was about 4 years before Desert Storm.


I hope hisory doesnt repeat itself.
 
This is a bit confusing to me. You don't like the EC system of elections, and you are wondering if you should vote. I say absolutely, especially if you want to overturn the EC system.

What if Gore wins the EC and Bush wins the Popular vote in a landslide? How much pressure would there be to bring about change? Enormous pressure.

If the folk who disagree with the EC system were to not vote, how would that help? I can see no positive effects in not voting.

Therefore, VOTE!!! Early and often, even if you're dead.

Why do you think the old geezers get so much of my paycheck? Simply because they vote. Not because it's right, constitutional, or even legal, but because the geezers vote. Politicians of all stripe, watch polls, not principles. VOTE!

Hope the rant helps.

Regards,
MP
 
Yes, the politicians, whether win or lose, look at the numbers for years afterward in determining how to shape their policies and what direction to take the party. Go vote, vote, vote - even if you think it doesn't make a difference!
 
YES!!! Listen, because it is very important. Because of the closeness of this election, this is going to be the first time in a long time that one person may win by MAJORITY and another gets the whitehouse by ELECTORAL college. BUT We still need to vote. Because if whe do, we may turn out with a "lame duck" president (that's what it's really called.) If gore wins, but it's a majority win for bush, then theres some kind of majority vote in the house, and the chairman decides, blah, blah, blah, but the outcome could ultimately be That the president is democratic, WHILE THE HOUSE AND SENATE IS PREDOMINATLY REPUBLICAN... This makes a lame duck, and hardly no new laws are past because the two conflict, and bills keep getting vetoed, and shot down. Thats OK because we don't want new bills. SO even if you're state is already leaning for Gore, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go vote for bush, it may be a way to keep him from becoming the dictator he want's to be. And PS, if you wanna go read up on the electoral college, it's very interesting stuff :D Please vote.
 
Definitely YES!

This election isn't just about the Presidency. There are a whole list of downstream elections that play a big part in your right to keep and bear arms.

Even if Bush is a solid win in Utah, what about your Congressman or Senator - are they pro-gun?

What about representatives to your state legislature?

How about the county sheriff? You definitely want one that supports the rights of law-abiding citizens!
 
Regarding the Electoral College, I'll go against the grain here and defend it. Under the EC system, each state gets one vote for each member of congress -- the number of their representatives and senators. The representatives are set by population. The result is that the added boost of the number of senators to the votes is a higher proportion for small states than it is for large states. In essence, it gives extra weight to the small states. And given the winner-take-all nature (except for Maine and Nebraska), the result is that the candidates cannot ignore small states. I think that's good.

Regarding voting, I live in MA, which Gore will win with a landslide. I will vote for Bush anyways. Also, there are a number of important local races and propositions on the ballot. Personally, I think voting is a duty that should not be shirked. When a gun owner starts bitching to me about the gun laws in MA, I first ask them if they voted. If not, I tell them to shut up...

M1911
 
Darn well better vote! Your local elections are arguably more important than the national elections. They affect you more immediately. And your vote makes a bigger difference in a local election.

TRUE STORY: in the last election, my wife backed a certain school board member. The school board was split pretty evenly and this person would break the tie, more toward traditional educational values rather than this new PC crap. My wife called 10 friends before she went to the polls. She had me call another 10. Our candidate won by 4 votes! So now we have the school board acting the way we want because we got out 20 votes! What a great feeling! Restored my faith in democracy.

And regarding the Bush-Gore thing, even if Bush has your state locked, VOTE ANYWAY! The size of the win is important, too.
 
M1911 nailed it. If it wasn't for the EC then the less populous states wouldn't have even joined the union to begin with.
 
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Because the first alternative to voting for change is engaging in civil disobedience. I would think everyone is interested in implementing change is the easiest manner first.


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"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."
-George Washington.
 
George, all I can say is read all of the above:-) Vote! It matters.
Bob

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Illegitimi non Caborundum
 
Agree with M1911. The EC is there for good reason. Without the EC system, our elections would be determined by both of our left coasts.

VOTE!

CMOS

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NRA? Good. Now join the GOA!

CMOS's Site
 
Yeah - you guys are right.
Especially that Congress part.
The Idea if Jim Matheson winning in Utah is repugnant... Derick Smith needs the seat.

Okay.

I'm going to Vote. My wife is coming with me.

Vote for Gore? Shame on you!
 
Some much has been said that is right on target already.
I feel I must add:

It is shameful that in this great nation, a large percentage of those whom are eligible to vote, do not! When so many put not only their time but their lives and fortunes up for this country so we can have what we have today some people cannot find the time to simply vote.
It is your duty to honor those who gave so much to at least vote.

I will be pulling the lever. Will you?

:)
 
The winner-take-all concept destroys the value of many votes. For example,
consider four states with equal populations voting for party A or B:
........... Popular vote.......Electoral vote
state 1: 52% A; 48% B = 10 A
state 2: 52% A; 48% B = 10 A
state 3: 12% A; 88% B = 10 B
state 4: 12% A; 88% B = 10 B
-------------------------------------------
Total = 35% A; 68% B = Equality???

The Electoral College would have disenfranchised at least 33% of the voting
population (68% if you count ALL the “B” voters).

I know that no four states are exactly equal in population but the above example
explains how the Electoral College has “elected” Presidents in opposition to the
popular vote. Therefore, the system of “winner-take-all” does not always reflect
the will of the voting populace and has disenfranchised many voters.

To reflect the will of the people, the Electoral College should cast electoral votes in
the exact percentages cast by the voters.

If that occurs, the Electoral College is superfluous.

We have enough deadwood and opportunity for elitists to take over our federalist
system.

Kill the Electoral College.
-------

Afterthought:

I no longer care if only a small percentage of Americans cast their vote. Considering
how few voters actually know more about their candidate than “What a pretty
smile he has," the fewer the better. The more who stay home, the greater value
my block of seven votes will have.

Obviously, I DO encourage those people to vote who believe in the Bill of
Rights and vote ... um, “properly”. ;)

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Either you believe in the Second Amendment or you don't.
Stick it to 'em! RKBA!

[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited November 06, 2000).]
 
I just heard that due to the anticipated large number of voters to turn out for this election, Democrat voters have been granted all day Wednesday to do their bidding.


:cool:
 
You really want to be nervous? Two words: Faithless Electors.

A search on those words can be enlightening. http://www.avagara.com/e_c/ec_unfaithful.htm

While no election has ever been affected by faithless electors, there's going to be a first time sometime.

However, VOTE! Vote early, vote often. Educate your friends and make them vote. Heck, educate your dogs, cats and pigeons and make them vote! :D

LawDog



[This message has been edited by LawDog (edited November 06, 2000).]
 
Vote. Even if it doesn't tip the balance it still tells the government where you stand. It tells others that you are out there and you won't sit at home, taking it quietly. If nothing else it is a way of standing up from the apathetic crowd, shaking a fist in the air and yelling ," Here's a one-finger salute you sunzabiches! You can beat me but YOU CAN'T KEEP ME SILENT!"
A lot of blood has been spilled over the years by honorable men and women so that we have the right to walk into the booth and pull any da*ned handle we want. IMHO we owe it to them. To the devil with the EC.
I am optimistic about tomorrow. I just hope there are plenty of cameras present when Al pulls a Rumplestiltskin, stamps the ground in frustration until it opens up and swallows him. Wouldn't it be a gas if, when the results are in that Satan would appear in a gout of fire with a contract in his hand reminding Bill and Al that they've had their time and now it is time to pay the piper?
I need sleep.


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Those who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules.Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt- Sun Tzu, The Art of War

[This message has been edited by Apple a Day (edited November 06, 2000).]
 
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